The sixth episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Princess' (directed by Park Joon-hwa, Bae Hee-young/written by Yoo Ji-won), aired on the 25th, recorded a viewership rating of 11.3% in the metropolitan area and 11.2% nationwide, with a 5.9% rating among the 2054 demographic, ranking first among all Saturday programs in both the metropolitan area and the 2054 demographic. The nationwide and 2054 ratings not only set new records, but the scene where Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) tells Lee An-daegun (played by Byeon Woo-seok), "Do whatever you want," peaked at 13.4% (according to Nielsen Korea).
In this episode, Seong Hee-joo and Lee An-daegun, who share similar wounds, shared a heartfelt kiss, offering a beautiful romance. Accompanying each other to the Naejinyeon, they drew attention and showcased their unique presence in the second act of the event.
Previously, Lee An-daegun had asked Yoon Yi-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon) to invite Seong Hee-joo to the Naejinyeon, promising to give up on marrying her. Yoon Yi-rang assumed that Lee An-daegun's presence with Seong Hee-joo was merely a farewell gesture and allowed them a stage for themselves.
However, Lee An-daegun surprised everyone by proposing to Seong Hee-joo in front of everyone, offering his mother's ring. Seong Hee-joo, who received the unexpected proposal, gladly accepted, and they swiftly obtained the king's approval, becoming a royal-recognized couple.
Lee An-daegun's surprise proposal caught the attention of both domestic and international media. Yoon Yi-rang, caught off guard by Lee An-daegun's plan, decided to accept the marriage with Seong Hee-joo, realizing she couldn't overturn the royal decree. Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (played by Noh Sang-hyun), who promised to support Seong Hee-joo, also had no choice but to support their marriage to avoid division within the royal family and cabinet.
Seong Hee-joo and Lee An-daegun began preparing for their marriage by drafting a formal contract discreetly and meticulously. Their bickering while negotiating contract terms brought laughter.
Meanwhile, a tense dinner with Seong Hee-joo, Lee An-daegun, and the dowager Yoon Yi-rang heightened the tension. Yoon Yi-rang, with a benevolent face, tried to ease their guard but gradually revealed her hostility towards Lee An-daegun. Witnessing Lee An-daegun's silence in the face of his sister-in-law's rude remarks, Seong Hee-joo suddenly took his hand and left the scene.
Lee An-daegun, saying, "Once we're married, I'll clear anything in front of us," deeply gazed at Seong Hee-joo, who stood up for him, and asked her to take him away with a smile. In response, Seong Hee-joo prepared a yacht for Lee An-daegun, offering him a moment of freedom from all worries. Standing on the yacht, enjoying the breeze away from royal protocols, the two made viewers' hearts flutter.
On the yacht, they felt like they were flying in the sky, spending a happy time together. In a blink of an eye, as they got closer, Lee An-daegun kissed Seong Hee-joo, savoring the romantic moment. Seong Hee-joo cautiously pulled Lee An-daegun closer, and the episode ended with their affectionate kiss on the yacht.
The much-anticipated romance of 'Grand Prince Couple' IU and Byeon Woo-seok, supported by the public, will continue in the seventh episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Princess,' airing 10 minutes earlier at 9:40 PM on May 1st.
Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr